Image File Types
Trying to decide whether to save your image as a .jpg or .png? See below to find the best option for you!
JPEG Files
JPG and JPEG files are the same. Windows used to require 3 character extensions.
Everything You Need to Know About JPEG Files - from Adobe
Best Use:
Online photos or images without transparent elements
Pros:
Most universally recognized — compatible with most browsers, software, and apps
Loads faster on websites
Great for photographs
Usually provides more accurate colors
Smaller file size while still retaining detail
Cons:
Lossy file type instead of lossless file type, so a loss in quality can occur each time it is opened/saved
Doesn’t support transparent backgrounds
PNG Files
What are PNG files and how do you open them? - From Adobe
Best Use:
Web graphics with sharp edges, lots of figures, and transparent elements
Pros:
Supports transparent backgrounds
Great for simple graphics with fewer colors than a photo
Sometimes, files can be smaller than a jpg if it is a graphic element with only a few solid colors
Can be edited/saved unlimited times without losing any quality since they use less compression
Cons:
Files are bigger since they retain a lot more information
Slower loading times when viewing online
SVG Files
SVG Files: How to Create, Edit and Open Them - from Adobe
Best Use:
Web graphics — icons, logos, illustrations, and infographics
Pros:
Always maintain their resolution — no matter how large or small you make them
Basic SVG files are often smaller than most other images.
Screen readers can scan any words contained in SVG images
Cons:
Lack of pixels makes displaying high-quality digital photos difficult
JPGs are generally better for detailed photographs
TIFF Files
TIFF files are not intended for online use. Convert to either PNG or JPG for Canvas courses.
What are TIFF files an dhow do you open them? - from Adobe
Best Use:
Extremely Large Prints (e.g. billboards)
Storing high-quality photographs and high-resolution scans locally on your machine
Container file to store multiple lower quality jpg files within the same tiff file
Pros:
Similar to a PNG, they have lossless compression and don’t lose quality when edited/saved
Support transparent backgrounds in images/graphics
Store extra information such as additional layers, which can be opened in Photoshop
Cons:
Poor choice for websites; can slow a website’s loading speed
Lighter file formats, like JPG, might be more useful for online images
Detail and resolution lead to quite large files
Take up more storage space
Their size makes them difficult to share
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